Method of and apparatus for severing and valving bag tubes



1,623,228 April 5 1927 A. M. BATES ET METHOD OF AND APPARATUS FOR SEVERING AND VALVING BAG TUBES Filed April 18. 1925 9 Sheets-Sheet 1 k V e/mer/[Bares eorye PDorr.

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p A. M. BATES ET AL METHOD OF AND APPARATUS FOR SEVERING AND VALVING BAG TUBES Filed April 18. 1925 9 Sheets-Shet flde/meM/Baces eorqe PDorr Johann EDanc/fer 1,623,228 Apnl 5 1927' A. M. BATES ET AL METHOD OF AND APPARATUS FOR SEVERING AND VALVING BAG TUBES Filed April 18. 1925 9 Sheets-Sheet 4 0 \V. Q2 8, H a I lnvenfyc fldelm rflBates c mePDorr- UZ mnn EDaflcKer April 5, 1927.

A; M. BATES ET AL METHOD OF AND 'APPARATUS FOR SEVERING AND VALVING BAG TUBES Filed April 18. 1925 9 Sheets-Sheet 5 6cm mu; 8

A ril 1927.

p A. M.'BATES ET AL METHOD OF AND APPARATUS FOR SEVERING AND VALVING BAG TUBES Filed April 18. 1925 9 Sheets-Sheet e .8 r c Mk B m w dfie MW d wm A m: M

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p A. M. BATES ET AL.

METHOD OF AND APPARATUS FOR SEVERING AND VALVING BAG TUBES Filed April 18. 1925 9 Sheets-Sheet 7 Georye PDorr QM MM w M, M MAM. a F J Aprll 5 1927. A M. BATES ET AL METHOD OF AND APPARATUS FOR SEVERING AND VALVING BAG TUBES Filed April 18. 1925 9 Sheets-Sheet 8 m erh.

W yfa e/melflBatcs Georye PDoM JB/Iann EDanc/Ier A. M. BATES ET'AL METHOD OF AND APPARATUS FOR SEVERING AND VALVINC- BAG TUBES Patented Apr. 5, 1927.

UNITED STATES ADELMER M. BATES, GEORGE P. DORE. AND JOHANN E DANCKER, OF CHICAGO, ILLI- NOIS, ASSIGNORS TO BATES VALVE BAG COMPANY. OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, A COR- PORATION OF WEST VIRGINIA.

METHOD OF AND APPARATUS FOR SEVERING AND VALVING BAG TUBES.

Application filed April 18, 1925. Serial No. 24,103.

Our invention relates to bag making and more particularly to severing bag tubes into bag lengths and preparing them for closing to form bags.

' The objects of our invention areto provide methods and apparatus for severing a bag tube into bag lengths suitable for forming valved bags for tucking in the corners to form valves and for delivering the bag lengths in separate positions. the lengths delivered to each position having their valved corners similar] combinations and incidental features of our invention will appear as the description proceeds.

Figure 1 is a plan view of one form of apparatus for carrying out our invention; Fig. 2 is a side elevation of the same; Figs. 3 to 7,-inclusive, are sections on lines 33,. 4-4, 5-5, 6-6 and 77 of Fig. 1; Fig. 8 is a section on line 8-8 of Fig. 2; Fig. 9 is a plan of an alternative arrangement for operating the removing members; 'Fi '..10" is an end view of the parts shown in Fig. 9; Figs. 11 14 and 15 are plan views of the valving mechanism in different positions;

Figs-12 and 13 are side views'of the valving mechanism showing different positions of the parts; Figs. 16 to 18. inclusive, are diagrammatic views indicating successive stages in the formation of a valve; Fig. 19 is a plan view of a modified form of take-off device; Fig. 20 shows enlarged details of a portion of Fig. 19; Fig. 21 is at section on the line 21-21 of Fig. 20, and Fig. 22 is a section on the line 2222' of Fig. 19.

The mechanism consists of a combination of a slitting device A, a device B for intermittently feeding a bag tube longitudinally, a cutting device C for severing the tube along a straight transverse line, cutters D and D for severing the tube along an offset transverse line, valvers E and E and takeoff devices F and F.

The apparatus is mounted upon and longitudinally adjustable along a foundation 20 having upwardly extending ribs 21 and side angle plates 22, which form a slideway for a base 23. The apparatus may be pl ed adjacent mechanism for preparing bag tubing,

I such as a printing press. for example, and

at the proper distancefrom the press placed. Details, minor frame 24. At the rear or receiving side of this frame is a roller 25 mounted in bearings 26. A bag tube 27 is received from any suitable source, such as the printing press mentioned above, and passes over roller 25 and beneath a top guide plate 28. Vertical knives 29 are arranged in knife guides 30 so as to be reciprocable vertically to form a longitudinal slit in the tube adjacent each edge.

A drive shaft 31 is mounted in suitable bearings longitudinally of the apparatus at one side thereof, bearings 32 for shaft 31 bemg extended from frame 24. Shaft 31 carries an eccentric 33. A rock shaft 34 is mounted in bearings 35 at one side of frame 24. Rock shaft 34 has an outwardly extending arm 36. A link 37 extends upward from eccentric 33 and is pivoted at 38 to arm 36. Rock shaft .34 has an inwardly extending arm 39 connected at 40 to one of the knives 29. A rock shaft 41 has an arm 42 connected to the other knife 29. A downwardly extending arm 43 from rock shaft 34 is connected to a similar arm 44 on rock shaft 41 by means of a link 45, so that rock shafts 34 and 41 and the two knives 29 are moved in unison, and the knives are reciprocated once for each revolution of shaft 31.

47 for shaft 31, corresponding to bearings 32 on frame 24. Above the bearing bracket 47 there is a bearing bracket 48 for a shaft 49extending longitudinally of the apparatus substantially on a level with the tube. Shaft 49 carries a sprocket wheel'50 driven from a sprocket wheel 51 on shaft'31 by means of a sprocket chain 52.

A counter-shaft 53 is mounted in bearing bracket 47-and carries a gear 54 driven by a gear 55 on shaft 311 A hearing bracket 56 on the opposite side of frame 46 from bearing 48 provides a bearing for shaft 57 extendinglongitudinally of the apparatus on that side thereof. Shaft 57 carries a sprocket wheel 58 driven from sprocket wheel 59 on counter-shaft '53, by means of sprocket chain 60. By this means shafts 49 and 57 are both driven at the same speed as shaft 31, shaft 49 turning in the same direction as shaft 31, and shaft 57 turning in the opposite direction.

In advance of frame 46 there is a frame 61 carrying a tube-supporting table ,62. A

cutting plate 63 is mounted on thefront edge of table 62. Bearing bracket 64, similar to bracket 48, supports shaft 49. A knife 65 is mounted on a disk 66 on shaft 49 in position to form a shearing out against the front edge of plate 63 at each revolution of shaft 49, the revolution of the shaft being in the proper direction to move the knife down past plate 63. I

In advance of frame 61 there is a frame 67 having thereon a cuttingplate 68 against the front edge of which there operates a knife 69 carried .by a disk 70 on shaft 57. Knife 69 extends from the right side of'the tube, as viewed in Fig. 6, to the rear edge of a slit previously formed by the knife 29 adjacent the left side of the tube. Similarly, a knife 71 carried by a disk 72 on shaft 49 extends across the tube in advance of knife 69, and reaches from the left side of the tube to the forward end of a slit previously formed adjacent the right side of the tube by the other knife 29. Knife 71 cuts against a shearing plate in front thereof.- As shafts 49 and 57 are rotated in opposite directions, knives 69 and 71 move downward simultaneously and detach the rectangular portion of tubing between them and between the longitudinal slits, so that this portion of the tube is carried down with the knives and discharged [as they swing apart. i i

In advance of frame 67 there is a similar frame 73 carrying bearings 74 and 75,for shaft 49. Between bearings 74 and 75 there is a sleeve 76 surrounding shaft 49. Sleeve 76 has two pairs of arms 77 carrying socket members 78 arrangedto support guiding members 79. In the form shown, these guiding members are arranged to enter a gusset fold formed in the side of the tube.

Immediately adjacent bearing 74, shaft 49 carries a mutilated gear 80 adapted to drive a gear 81 at suitable intervals. Gear 81 is mounted on a stub shaft, 82 and is elongated, one end being driven intermittently by gear 80 and the other end being in meshwith an idler gear 83. One end of the stub shaft '82 is supported in bearing 74 and the other end is supported in a bracket arm 84 extending from the bearing 74. Idler 83 is supported by the bracket arm 84 in position to engage a gear 85 on sleeve 76. By this means sleeve 76 is moved intermittentligthe gearing being so proportioned that the sleeve is turned one-half revolution for each revolution of shaft 49. g I

Extending beyond guides 79 there are pairs of gripper jaws 86. These jaws have arms extending towards sleeve 76 and pivotjaws 86. ,Rock shaft 88 has another arm 91 carrying a cam roller 92 in position to contact a cam 93 on bearing 75, a spring 190 normally holding the roller in contact with the cam. The cam is so shaped as to allow the spring to open the jaws while the sleeve is at rest and to close the jaws on the side towards the path of the tube when the sleeve begins to turn.

An alternative form'of device for operating cam rollers 92 is disclosed in F1 5. 9 and 10. In the construction shown'in these figures, there is a cam 94 loose on shaft 49 and adapted to contact rollers 92. Mounted beneath bearing 75 there is a rock shaft 95 having at one end an arm 96 connected by 'a link 97 to cam 94. At the other end of rock shaft 95 there is an arm 98 carrying a cam roller 99 in position to be contacted by a cam 100 fastened on shaft 49. Cam roller 99 is held in contact with cam 100 by means of spring 101. The parts of the device are so arranged as to close the jaws immediately beforethe sleeve begins to turn.

The apparatus is intended primarily for bags which are formed with gusseted sides,

and we have shown guide members which are intended to enter these side gussets. As

indicated, there are short guide members .102 infront of cutting plate 63. As the tube is fed forward in advance of knife 65, the sides of the tube are guided alternately by guide members 79 on devices F and F, respectively, while the other side is guided byguide members 104 on valving devices E and E, respectively. Guide members 79 are shown tapered at at the ends where the tube is received, guides 102 are tapered at ends 106, and guides 104 are tapered at ends 107. This is so that the guides will readily enter the gusset folds at the sides of the tube. This arrangement is particularly useful where the tube is so formed that the distance between the bottoms of the gussets remains constant even though there may be a' slight irregularity in the total .width of the tube.

Take-off members F and F are similarly constructed, except that apparatus F is mounted on shaft 57 instead of upon shaft 49 and the relative positions of the driving gears and cams are accordingly reversed; but, as the parts are identical, they are given the same reference numerals and sepaslide 117. Slide casing "110. I The essential operating devices comprise gripping members of the 'valver 111, -spreading members 112 and tucking finger 113 Grippers 111 are arranged to extend inward a short distance from the edge of the tube transversely thereof,and are pivoted at 114. The gripping members have arms extending rearward from the pivot points and carrying cam wheels 115 adapted to be governed by'a cam member 116 on a cam slide 117. An operating rock shaft 118jis mounted beneath the casing in a bearing 119. Rock shaft 118 has an upwardly extending arm 120 connected by a link 121 to the cam slide 117. 1 disk 122 on shaft 49 carries a pin 123. A'laterally extending arm 124 on rock shaft 118 is provided with a contact surface 125 adapted to be contacted by pin 123, so that the cam slide is reciprocated at each revolution of shaft 49.

A slide rod 126 is arranged longitudinally of the valve casing and has a shoulder 127 adapted to be contacted by the rear end of 117 and 'rod 126 have a pin andslot connection 128 to aid in keeping them in proper relative position. The spreader members are pivoted M129, and links 130COllIlQCil the forward end of slide rod 126 to ears 131 on the Spreaders. "A collar 132 is fixed adjustably upon rod 126, and a spring133 pressestlie rod towardsthe spreadersand holds them normally closed.

. Tncking finger 113 is pivoted at 134. A bell cranklever 135 is tulcrumed in the casing and has an arm 136 connected by a link 137 to the tucking finger 113. The other arm 138 .of the bell'crank leverprojects into the path of a lug 139flcarried by slide rod 126. A friction the tucking finger in any position to which it is moved. A lug 141 is provided'on rod 126 on the other side of arm 138' from lug 139.

It will be readily seen, therefore, that,

when rock shaft 118 is oscillated by the action. of pin 123. the closed upon the tube by acting upon rollers 115. tinues to move,

grippers are first means of the cam As slide 117 canit contacts shoulder 127 on rod 126 and-moves the rod so as to open the spreaders. This spreads apart the sides of the bag between the point where they are gripped and the end of the bag, and straightens the gusset fold. But the points of the s'preaders in the gusset, as well "as the pressing together of the walls by the grippers, prevent the opening of the gusset at this point, and thereby an outward fold of the material of the gusset adjacent the spreaders necessarily results. This stage of theoperation is illustrated inFig'. 16.

When rod 126' nears the end of its rearward movement, lug 139 contacts arm 138 and swings finger 112, thereby tucking the -wheels 115 pressing against earn 116.

device tends to hold material at the end of the gusset in between the spread apart sides of the tube, the material bending inward beyond a line 142 across the gussetand between diagonallines 143 across the corner of the tube, as shown in Fig. 17.

a valve flap 144' which provides a valve opening 145 when the operation is completed, as shown in Fig. 18, andlhe end of the tubeis closed, as by sewing a seam along the line 146.

After pin 123 slips off of surface 125', spring 133 moves rod 126 towards its original position. This causes the spreaders to close. Friction device 140 retains finger 113 in its tucking position until lug 141 contactsarm 138, as shown in 15. This results in bending the sides of the valve flap to'-' gether so the valve material will not follow the outward movement of the finger caused by lug 141. i-

After the completion of the travel of. rod 126, cam slide 117 is advanced by cam A spring 147 connecting the rear ends of the gripper'arms, causes this pressure of the" cam wheels-upon the cam and at the same time opens the gripping members, and releases the tube length' for the action of the take-01f device, as shown inFig. 18. I The tube advancing means B forms no part of our present invention and need'not e described in'detail, as any :suitable device for advancing the tube intermittently two ed, comprises a lower feed roll 148 and an upper feed roll 149. A ratchet gear-"150 on the end of roll 148 may be driven'lrvy a rack 151 reciprccated by any suitable 105 mechanism. This rack should be reciprocated once for each revolutionof thedriqe shafts, and may be connected to the printing press, mentioned above.

As a matterof convenience, it is prefer-11d able to form an opening 152 in guide plate 28, through which an indicating mark 153 on the tube may be seen, so that any want ofaccurate registration of the tube may be immediately apparent and proper steps taken 115 to adjust the feeding device, or the relation of the apparatus herein described to the source of the tube, so that proper registration will result. i

The tube is fed forward two'bag lengths 120 at each revolution of the shaft so that, during each period of rest of the tube, slits previously formed by knives 29 are located at the paths of the ends of knives 6t)" and 71, respectively. The mechanism is so timed 125 that the knives operate immediately after the tube comes to rest, and the operation of the valvers is initiated as the cutting is coinpleted.

7h 1 This folded in portion forms 7 Kn'fe 65 severs the tube on a straight low the gusset folds to be fed forward over transverse line, while knives 69 and 71 are offset so that they leave extensions on the ends of the bag lengths. As viewed in Fig. 1, the forward bag length has its extension directed to the rear on the upper side, while the rear bag section has its extension directed forwardly on the lower side. As will be seen, valvers E and E are arranged to form valves at the corners where these extensions are formed.

Immediately upon the completion of the valve operation, the bags are removed by devices F and F. The timing of intermittent gear 80 is so arranged that sleeve 76 begins to turn just as the valving operation is completed. As the sleeve turns, roller 92 rides up on cam 93 and closes the gripping jaws. Ordinarily this will take place before the jaws are moved upward far enough to prevent proper gripping of the bag. The continued motion of the grippers draws the bag away from the valving device and swings it over and delivers it at the opposite side of the removing device from the original path of the tube. The devices F and F operate simultaneously, so that they remove.

the two bag lengths at the same time, and the forward movement of the bag tube may take place as soon as the other arms of the respective devices return to position to alguides 79.

When bag lengths are severed in the manner described, the successive lengths have extensions on corners, which are differently positioned relative to the positions of the bag length. The delivering devices automatically separate these differently arrange-d lengths so that all bag lengths delivered at one point, have the valve extensions on the same'corner, and a pile of bags so delivered has the extended corners superposed. In further treatment of the bags, as in feed ing them to sewing machines for closing their ends, it is a convenience to have the bagsarran ed with their valves at the same corners, and it is preferred to have the bags arranged in this manner when they are completed.

It may occur at times that the valving operation will objectionably retard the pos- S1 le speed of movement, as where the tube is received from a source which can deliver it very rapidly. In such cases, if desired, the valvers may be detached from the appa; ratus, or not operated, and the valving may be done .as a separate operation. It is a great convenience in the valving operation to have the bags arranged so that the valve may be formed on the same respective corner of each.

It may sometimes occur that the bags are slightly disarranged as delivered by the grippers, when the grippers are not closed until after their upward movement is begun. In order to avoid this possibility, appa ratus may be-provided for closing the grippers before they begin their movement, and one form of such apparatus is illustrated in Figs. 9 and 10. In this construction, cam 100 is so positioned that rock shaft 95 and cam 94 will be oscillated immediately before the grippers begin to move upward and uiereby the grippers are closed before they begin to move. Cam 94 is returned to its original position during the motion of the grippers, so that the grippers are open when they reach delivering position. shown at the right hand of Fig. 7, and receiving position, shown at the left hand of that figure.

It is sometimes desirable to take the tube section away from the valver diagonally to avoid any possible binding of the valve on the members 112. This can be accomplished by the apparatus shown in Figs. 19 to 22, inelusive.

In this form, a sleeve 150 carries four fixed arms 151 and four movable arms 152. The movable arms are carried by rock shafts 153 and are movable towards and from the fixed arms to form clamps. Each shaft 153 has an arm 154 carrying a cam roller 155 adapted to contact a cam 156 fixed on the bearing 75 and a cam 157 carried by shaft 49.

The sleeve may be driven by the same mutilated gear 80 which drives sleeve 76 shown in Figs. 1 and 8; but the intermediate gearing is modified by using a pinion 81' having an enlarged end 158 adapted to drive an elongated idler 159 in mesh with a gear 160 on sleeve 150. Enlarged end 158 makes possible the use of a gear 160 which is larger than gear 85 without changing the ratio between the sleeve and shaft 49.

Attached to gear 160 is a cam member 161 having a cam groove 162. A bracket arm 163 carries an end plate 164 perforated to receive the cam member 161 and the ends of the shafts carrying pinion 81 and idler 159. A cam roller 165 is mounted on the bracket arm and works in cam groove 162, so that the cam member and the sleeve are reciprocated longitudinally of shaft 49 while rotating thereabout. Idler 159 is elongated so that it remains in mesh with gear 160, and cam rollers 155 are elongated so that reciprocation of the sleeve does not interfere with the relation of the rollers to cams 156 and 157. I

Cams 156 and 157 are so constructed and arranged that cam 157 raises roller 155 and thereby closes the clamp arms just as the sleeve starts to turn. As the sleeve turns, the rise on cam 157 passes from beneath roller 155, but not until the roller rests on the rise of cam 156, so that the clamp remains closed until the bag is swung to delivery position.

Torsion springs 166 keep rollers 155 in contact with cams 156 and 157, and open the clamps when the cams permit such action.

Cam groove 162 is so constructed that the sleeve is moved longitudinally away from gear 80 during the first part of the removal of the bag, so that the valved corner is drawn diagonally away from the valver. As the bag approaches delivery position, the sleeve is returned towards gear 80 to its original position, so that, as the bag is released by one pair ofclamps, the other pair of clamps is in position to receive the next bag length. The valver is not claimed in this application except in combination with other features.

As suggested above, the other steps of the process and the other features of the apparatus might be used without the valver, and the valver might be used alone. The operations carried out by the described valver could be performed by hand or by widely varying apparatus, and numerous changes could be made in oiher features of the apparatus while still carrying out the succession of manipulative steps which the described apparatus is intended to accomplish, so that various features of the process are not confined to any particular apparatus, and considerable changes may be made in the appa ratus while still embodying its essential features. Therefore, the broader aspects of our invention, as defined in the appended claims, are not confined to the details described above as one form of the invention.

What we claim is: 1. In combination, intermittent means for moving a bag tube longitudinally, two baglen ths at a time, and means to simultaneous y sever two bag lengths from the tube while it is at rest, the severing means being constructed to out each bag. length longer on one side than on the other.

2. In combination, three cutting devices. and means to move a bag-tube past said devices, one of said devices being adapted to form a longitudinal slit near each edge of the tube, another of said devices being adapted to sever the tube along transverse lines connecting the ends of the slits and along a continuance of one of said lines to one edge of the tube and. a continuance of the other line to the other edge of the tube, and the third device being adapted to sever the tube along a straight transverse line midway between successive pairs ofs'lits.

3. In combination, intermittent means to move a bag tube longitudinally, two bag lengths at a time, means to form longitudi-- nal slits in the tube near its edges during each period ofrest, means to sever the tube transversely midway between successively formed slits. and means to sever the tube along paralle linesconnecting the ends of said slits and along a continuance'of one of continuance of the other of said lines to the other side of the tube.

4. In combination, intermittent means to move a bag tube longitudinally, two bag lengths at a time, means to form longitudinal slits in the tube near its edges, a shaft parallel with the path of the tube on each side thereof, a knife extending at right angles from one of the'shafts far enough to reach across the tube and in position to sever the tube midway between successively formed slits, and a knife extending at right angles from each shaft far enough to reach to a slit adiaeent the other side of the tube, the last said knives being arranged to cut the tube, one at the forward ends of previously formed slits and the other at the rear ends of said previously formed slits.

5. In combination, intermittent means for moving a bag tube longitudinally, two bag lengths at a time, and means to simultaneously sever two bag lengths from the tube while it is at rest, the severing means being constructed to cut each bag length longer on one side than on the other,with the long sides of successive bags formed from opposite sides of the tube.

6. In combination, intermittent means for moving a bag tube longitudinally, two bag lengths at a time, means to simultaneously sever two bag lengths from the tube while it is at rest, the severing means being constructed to out each bag length longer on one side than on the other, and automatic means for removing said bag lengths transversely from the path of the tube.

7 In combination, intermittent means for moving a bag tube longitudinally, two bag lengths at a time, means to simultaneously sever two bag lengths from the tube while it is at rest, the severing means being constructed to cut each bag length longer on one side than on the other, and automatic means to deliver the bag lengths with their long sides similarly positioned.

8. In combination, intermittent means for moving a bag tube longitudinally, two bag lengths at a time, means to simultaneously sever two bag lengths from the tube while it is at .rest, the severing means being constructed to out each bag length longer on one side than on the other, with the long sides of successive bags formed from opposite sides of the tube, and automatic means for removing successive lengths transversely inbopposite directions from the path of the tu e.

9. In combination, intermittent means to move a bag tube longitudinally, two bag lengths at a time, means to form longitudinal slits in the tube near its edges, a shaft parallel with the path of the tube on each side thereof, a knife ezitending at right angles from one of the shafts far enough to reach said lines to one side of the tube and along a across the tube and in position to sever the t ll tube midway between successively formed slits, a knife extending at right angles from each shaft far enough to reach to a slit adjacent the other side of the tube, the last said knives being arranged to cut the tube, one at the forward ends of previously formed slits and the other at the rear ends of said previousl) formed slits, and automatic means for removing the two lengths severed at one time, transversely in opposite directions from the path of the tube.

10. In combination, means to move a bag tube longitudinally, means to sever bag lengths from the tube with an extension from one end of each length, said extensions being differently arranged on different lengths, and automatic means for discharging said lengths with the lengths discharged at one place having their extensions similarly arranged.

11. In combination, means to move a bag tube longitudinally, means to sever bag lengths from the tube with an extension from one end of each length, said extensions being located at different corners of different lengths, and automatic means to separate lengths having differently located extensions.

12. In combination, means to move a bag tube lon itudinally, means to sever bag lengths from the tube with an extension from one end of each length, said extensions being diffeiently located on successive lengths, and means to discharge successive lengths to different locations.

13. In combination, means to move a collapsed bag tube longitudinally,means to sever the tube transversely along a line reaching one edge of the tube in advance of where it reaches the other edge of the tube, and means for discharging lengths of tubing on the two sides of said line in opposite directions. 1

ii. In combination, means to move a bag tube intermittently, means to cut the tube into bag lengths, and means to tuck in one corner of each bag length to form avalve opening while the tube is at rest.

15. In apparatus for preparing valve bags for sewing, means to move a bag tube longitudinally intermittently, means to cut bag lengths from the tube while it is at rest, and means to tuck in one corner of each length so as to form a filling valve when a seam is sewed across the end of the length.

us. in apparatus foiwpreparing valve bags for sewing, means to move a bag tube longitudinally, means to cut bag lengths from the 't'orward end of the tube, and means to tuck in one corner of each length so as to form a lilting val e when a seam is sewed across the end of the bag length.

17. In apparatus. for preparing valved bags for sewing, means to sever bag lengths from bag tube with an extension on one corner of each length and means to tuck in the extended corner while the length is in the position it occupies'at the time of severance.

18. In apparatus for preparing bags for sewin means to sever bag lengths from a bag ttlJO with an extension on one corner of each bag length, the extensions being on different corners of successive bag lengths, means to tuck in the extended corner of each bag length, and automatic means to deposit at one place all bags having their corners similarly arranged. i

19. In apparatus for preparing valved bags for sewing, means to sever bag lengths from a. bag tube with an extension on one corner of each bag length, the extension being on different corners of successive bag lengths, and the extensions being similarly arranged on each alternate bag length, means to tuck in the extended corner of each bag length, and automatic means for depositing the bag lengths, with the lengths deposited in one place having their valves similarly located.

20. In combination, means to move a bag tube intermittently in collapsed condition, means to spread one corner of the tube while it is at rest, and means to tuck the corner in between the spread sides to form a valve.

valved 21. In combination, means to' tuck in one comer of a bag to form a valve therein, means to feed a bag-forming portion of a tube endwise into cooperative position with said tucking means, and means to move said portion sidewise away from the valver.

22. In combination, means for tucking in one corner of a gusseted bag to form a valve and having a portion extending transversely of the gusset of a bag being operated upon, and means for moving the bag sidewise away from the tucking means.

In combination, means for tucking in the corner of a gusseted bag, said means comprising a part adapted to enter the gusset of a bag being operated upon, means to move a bag-forming portion of a tube into position with its gusset receiving said part, and means for moving said tube portion sidewise away from the tucking means.

24:. In valving apparatus for gusseted bags, means to move a portion of gpsseted bag tubing longitudinally, guides adapted to enter the gussets and position the tubing laterally, and valving apparatus in definite spaced relation to said guides and adapted to fold in the corner of a portion of tubing positioned by the guides. i

25. In apparatus of the character described, means to advance av bag tube longi tudinally, means at one station to make a cut partially outlining a valve, apparatus for tucking in the valve so outlined, and means to advance each bag-length section from the said cutting means to the tuclfing means while the section is connected to the bag tube.

26. In ctnnbination, means to tuck in one corner of a bag-length vof tubing to form a valve and means to draw the length diag onally away from the tucking means.

- 27. In valving apparatus for gusseted bags, means adapted to enter a gusset in the side of a bag tube near its end and spread the sides of said gusset apart, means to tuck the material of the gusset in between the sides where they are spread apart, and means to draw the tube diagonally away from the first said means.

28. In apparatus for valving gusseted bags, clamps adapted to grip the gusseted side of a bag tube near its, end, spreaders adapted to enter the gusset between the clamp and the end of the tube, a finger adapted to tuck the end of the gusset inbctween the walls spread apart by the spreaders, and means to draw the tube diagonally away from the Spreaders.

29. In apparatus for valving'gusseted bags, clamps adapted to grip the gusseted side of a bag tube near its end, Spreaders adapted to enter the gusset between the clamp and the end of the tube, a finger adapted to tuck the end of the gusset in between the walls spread apart by the spreaders, means to draw the tube diagonally away from the Spreaders, and mechanism adapted to operate said means in timed relation in the ordei' named. 30. The process which consists in severing from a bag tube a plurality of bag lengths, each length having an extension on one corner and adjacent lengths having their extensions on different corners, and separating the lengths into piles with the lengths in each pile having their extensions at the same corner.- I

31. The process which consists in severing successive bag lengths from a bag tube, with an extension on one corner of each length and the extensions on successive lengths reversely arranged, and separating the lengths into two piles with the lengths in each pile having similarly arranged extensions.

32. The process of severing bag lengths from a bag tube, which consists in transversely severing the tube simultaneously at two places a bag length apart, the lines of severance being farther apart at one side of the tube than at the other.

33. The process which consists in moving forward a bag tube intermittently, two bag lengths at a time, and, while the tube is at rest, severing it. along two transverse lines 'so as to form two bag lengths, one of said lines being straight across the tube and the other of said lines having one end in advance of the other.

34. The process which consists in moving forward a bag tube intermittently, two bag lengths at a time, and, while the tube is at rest, severing it along two transverse lines so as to form two bag lengths, one of said lines being straight across the tube and the other of said lines having one end in advance of the other, and delivering the lengths on opposite sides of the last said line to difi'erent points.

35. The process which consists in moving a bag tube longitudinally, forming two longitudinal slits adjacent the edges of the tube and having their ends in alinement transversely of the bag, after the tube has moved forward two bag lengths, forming another pair of slits. and at'the same time severing the tube along lines connecting the ends of the previously formed slits and along extensions of those lines, one to one side of the tube and the other to theother by cutting devices which move simultaneously in the same direction so as to remove the tube material between the said lines, and severing the tube transversely between the successive pairs of slits.

36. The process which consists in moving forward a bag tube intermittently, two bag lengths at a time, and while the tube is at rest, severing it along two transverse lines so as to form two bag lengths, one of said lines being straight and the other of said lines having one end in advance of the other, tucking in the extended corner thus formed on each length, and delivering the lengths on opposite sides of the last said line to different points.

37. The process which consists in forming bag lengths by severing bag tubes so that different lengths have differently placed corners extended, tucking in each extended corner in position to form a valve opening when the end of the bag is closed by a seam, and delivering the lengths to difler'ent places so that all lengths delivered at one place have valves in like placed corners.

38. The process which consists in moving a bag tube longitudinally, intermittently severing bag lengths from the tube while itis at rest, tucking in one corner of each length to form a valve opening, and then moving the length laterally from the path of the tube.

39. The process which consists in intermittently moving a bag tube longitudinally and, between movements of the tube. severing a bag length from the end of the tube. tucking in one corner to form a valve and moving the length transversely from the path of the tube.

40. The process which consists in intermittently moving a bag tube longitudinally two bag lengths at a time and, between movements of the tube, severing two bag lengths from the end of the tube, tucking in one corner of each length to form a valve,

- and removing the lengths transversely in opposite directions from the path of the tube.

41. The process which consists in intermittently moving a bag tube lon itudinally two bag lengths at a time and, etween movements of the tube, severing two bag lengths from the end of the tube, the two lengths having extended corners on opposite sides of the tube, tucking in the extended corner of each length to form a valve, and removing the lengths transversely in opposite directions from the path of the tube.'

42. In forming valve bags from tubes, the process which consists in advancing a bag tube longitudinally, forming a cut in the tube partially outlining each valve, advancing the partially cut section to another station while still connectedto the tube, and tucking in the valve at said other station.

43. In forming valve bags from tubes, the

- line with the body of the tube, and, after the formation of the valve in each section,

moving it laterally from the path of the advancing tube. V

In witness whereof, we have hereunto signed our names to this specification.

ADELMER M. BATES. GEORGE P. DORR. JOHANN E. DANCKER. 

